MORE than 100 children had a magical time at Weymouth Sea Life and Adventure Park.

The event was held to mark the 100th opening of an attraction by Sea Life’s parent company Merlin.

The Sea Life Park opened its doors for free to 100 disabled children or those with serious and long-term illnesses, young carers, children who are disadvantaged and those with a terminally ill parent.

It is part of Merlin’s Magic Wand charity event which saw all of the company’s attractions open its doors for similar events.

The charity was formed in 2008 with the aim of creating special days for seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged youngsters, and does this by organising and paying for day trips for children and families.

Children from Westfield School, Wyvern School, Julia’s House, Regard for Children, Diverse Abilities Plus and those nominated by family or friends were invited to the Sea Life Park for the special day and received an array of goodies plus guided tours of the park.

Louise McKenna, lead nurse at Julia’s House, the Dorset Children’s Hospice, said: “We had some great feedback from the families who went along. They had a really lovely day out and a big thank you to Merlin’s Magic Wand for being so kind and thinking of our families.”

During the day, the children were given VIP lanyards to wear and special activity sheets to complete, such as dive adventure logbooks, a Moshi Monster quiz trail and a Moshling hunt.

There was also a special meet and greet session with Moshi Monsters, plus some of the wildlife inhabiting the park.

Sean, Jon and Ryan Pestall travelled from Wimborne for the day, and said the Croc Creek ride was their highlight of the day.

Sean said: “The Crocodile ride was awesome. I am soaked but it was so worth it.”

For more information on the charity and the work it does for children visit merlinsmagicwand.org